Radcliffe Lightweights Begin Fall Season at Head of the Housatonic

Radcliffe rowed the Housatonic River in its first regatta of the fall season today (photo courtesy Head of the Housatonic).

SHELTON, Conn. – The Radcliffe lightweight crew began its fall season today at the Head of the Housatonic in Shelton, Conn. The regatta gave the lightweights a rare chance to row alongside heavyweight competition.

The Black and White posted one win, as well as second-, fifth- and eighth-place finishes on the course between two dams at Indian Well State Park.

Radcliffe swept the doubles competition, finishing first and second in the event. The Black and White's best boat easily won the race in 17:48.21, 39 seconds ahead of the competition and over a full minute quicker than any non-Radcliffe crews. With a time of 18:27.60, Radcliffe's second boat pulled off a second-place showing.

The Black and White kept pace with many heavyweight crews in the fours competition and eventually finished in fifth place. Radcliffe's top heavyweight boat won the race and three Yale crews finished second through fourth, just ahead of the lightweights. Radcliffe clocked in at 17:56.90, 20 seconds outside of fourth and 23 seconds ahead of sixth-place Massachusetts. Another Radcliffe crew crossed the finish line in 18:30.36 for ninth place.

In the eights event, which had 22 entrants, Radcliffe cracked the top-10 with an eight-place mark and also had another boat finish in 15th. The number one Black and White crew rowed the 2.7-mile course in 16:08.49, while the Yale heavyweights finished in first at 15:14.19. Radcliffe's second boat completed the route in 17:08.35 and in front of seven competitor boats.

Radcliffe will row the remainder of the fall season in Cambridge on the Charles River. The rowing world's biggest regatta, the Head of the Charles is Oct. 20-21 and the Foot of the Charles concludes the Black and White's slate Nov. 10.